Lu Zeqing then stood back beside him. Jiang Siyu withdrew his gaze, suppressing his inner thoughts, and calmly discussed business.

“The director’s name is Zhen Yaoyao, just in her thirties. You can call her Director Zhen.”

“She likes everything beautiful, and your appearance definitely fits her aesthetic. Don’t worry; the first impression will surely be good. As for the audition… This week, I can give you an acting lesson.”

“Mn, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Jiang.” Lu Zeqing said half-jokingly. “How about deducting the tutoring fee from my ‘salary’?”

“I’m not short of money.” Jiang Siyu considered.

“If you really feel bad, you can repay me in other ways.”

“What ways?” Lu Zeqing asked,

Jiang Siyu was about to say something when Zhen Yaoyao, in a strapless black dress and thin high heels, walked over.

“Xiao Jiang.”

“Director Zhen.”

Zhen Yaoyao and Jiang Siyu exchanged a brief handshake, which lasted only half a second. She then glanced at Lu Zeqing beside Jiang Siyu.

“Hello, I’ve heard about you from Xiao Jiang before. Meeting you today, you’re indeed more handsome in person than in photos.”

“Thank you, Director Zhen.”

Zhen Yaoyao looked Lu Zeqing up and down, becoming more satisfied the longer she looked.

“Your temperament and appearance exceed my expectations. However, we won’t discuss the script today. We’ll talk about it during the audition.”

From the moment Zhen Yaoyao saw Lu Zeqing, she had already decided on the role in her heart, though she couldn’t say it now. Despite being the youngest director in the industry, she had considerable experience and a shrewd mind.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Looking forward to your performance.” Zhen Yaoyao tilted her glass, and lightly clinked it with Lu Zeqing’s wine glass, “I’ve taken a sip, you can drink as you like.”

Lu Zeqing didn’t expect Zhen Yaoyao to be so straightforward, but since the lady had already taken a sip, there was no reason for him to be casual, so he drank it all in one gulp.

“Much more straightforward than Xiao Jiang.”

Zhen Yaoyao smiled. Although she addressed Lu Zeqing, her words were meant for Jiang Siyu.

“On Sunday, let Xiao Jiang bring you for the audition. I want to see the chemistry between you two in the scene.”

“If Director Zhen says so, I will definitely accompany Qingqing for the audition.”

“A few investors are here today. Xiao Jiang, come with me to greet them.”

Jiang Siyu looked at Lu Zeqing, but before he could say anything, Lu Zeqing spoke up. Since he wasn’t officially part of the crew yet, and Zhen Yaoyao specifically mentioned Jiang Siyu, Lu Zeqing took the initiative.

“I’ll find a place to wait for Mr. Jiang.”

Jiang Siyu hesitated for half a second, thinking that Lu Zeqing probably didn’t enjoy socializing either. He finally nodded.

“I’ll find you in a bit.”

After parting ways, Lu Zeqing found a secluded spot. The people here didn’t know him, and he didn’t know them either.

Lu Zeqing took a small piece of cake from the long table, surprised to find plum wine. He had expected that at such a high-end banquet, the displayed alcohol would be at least six figures.

After finishing the drink in his cup, Lu Zeqing refilled it with plum wine, which went well with the cake.

As he turned around after getting the things, he saw Qi Zeyu standing behind him.

“Mr. Qi.”

Qi Zeyu opened his mouth, “Can I talk to you?”

“Mn.”

Lu Zeqing quietly put the cake and plum wine back on the table.

Qi Zeyu led him to the second floor, to a room resembling a reception room. When they entered, both Lu Nianchu and Qi Huai were present.

No wonder the guests downstairs couldn’t find the host, turns out they were all here.

Upon seeing Lu Zeqing coming upstairs, Lu Nianchu’s heart skipped a beat, momentarily unsure of how to address Qiqi.

Qi Huai broke the silence first.

“We have something to discuss with you. Please, have a seat.”

They didn’t intend to bring it up today, but since Lu Zeqing was recording a variety show yesterday, the Qi family could only wait until today. Concerned that Lu Zeqing might be caught off guard, they decided to talk to him first.

Lu Nianchu had rehearsed the words several times in the past few days, attempting to express herself in the gentlest and least hurtful way possible. However, upon seeing Lu Zeqing, all the carefully prepared drafts were forgotten.

“Can I call you Zeqing?”

It was the first time Qi Huai had spoken to his son, missing for many years. He appeared confident in front of Lu Nianchu, but when facing Lu Zeqing, he found himself at a loss for words.

This was the first time Qi Huai spoke to his long-lost son. He appeared  confident in front of Lu Nianchu, but when facing Lu Zeqing, he found himself at a loss for words.

Lu Zeqing nodded.

“I’m Qi Huai, and this is my wife, Lu Nianchu. We’ve met in Jingu Town before. I wonder if you still remember.”

Lu Zeqing certainly remembered. After seeing Lu Nianchu tonight, he had already guessed the purpose behind Qi Zeyu’s invitation.

“Yes.”

So, what did the Qi family mean?

Lu Zeqing thought for a moment. In the original story, the original owner was brought back by the Qi family, but due to various reasons such as lifestyle differences, conflicts escalated, and he was ultimately kicked out of the Qi family.

Of course, those issues arose because the original owner did something unfavorable to Qi Nan, disappointing the Qi family.

Lu Zeqing thought for a moment. He was already twenty years old, he didn’t need any reliance to earn a living. Additionally, he could afford the living and educational expenses for his sister, Xu Yinyin.

If it was destined for him to leave the Qi family, then he might as well not go back.

While he wouldn’t do anything harmful to Qi Nan, the probability of differences in lifestyle habits between him and the Qi family was high. After all, the lifestyles of an elite family and an ordinary person were fundamentally different.

And this could lead to increased conflicts.

Qi Huai looked at Lu Nianchu and gently bumped her arm with his.

“It’s better for you to say it.”

Lu Nianchu: “…”

Lu Nianchu looked at Qi Zeyu.

Qi Zeyu asked, “…Can I ask why you don’t plan to look for your biological family?”

Qi Huai gave him a disapproving look. Was it the right time to ask this now?

If Qiqi said he didn’t plan to look for his family, did that mean they wouldn’t continue with the conversation?

Seeing that the three of them were avoiding the topic, Lu Zeqing calmly spoke up.

“I know who you are. If there’s something you want to discuss, just say it.”

“You know?” Lu Nianchu was surprised and looked at Qi Huai beside her.

“What you know might not be the same as what we want to discuss,” Qi Huai only thought that Lu Zeqing was aware of their identities, but not their relationship.

Lu Zeqing paused for a moment and decided to clarify.

“If what you want to discuss is related to ‘you being my parents,’ then yes, I’m aware.”

In other situations or with other people, Lu Zeqing would have remained calmer and waited for the other party to speak first. He wasn’t sure why these words came out so spontaneously.

Qi Zeyu: “!”

Lu Nianchu: “!”

Qi Huai: “!”

Qiqi actually knew.

After the initial surprise, the three of them felt a bit lost.

Lu Nianchu was the most sensitive, and a single sentence set her mind whirling.

Qiqi knew? So he knew about it and never came to them?

He also had no intention of going home.

He genuinely had no desire to acknowledge his biological family.

Lu Nianchu’s heart sank.

Seeing their reactions, Lu Zeqing thought he might have guessed wrong.

“Isn’t it about this matter?”

In the small town, he indeed didn’t know who Lu Nianchu was. However, tonight, seeing Lu Nianchu and Qi Zeyu appearing together, coupled with the peculiar things Qi Zeyu said, and the invitation he received…

There were enough clues.

It could be inferred that the Qi family knew who he was.

“Yes.”

Lu Nianchu took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in her heart. She forced herself to calm down.

“May I ask how you found out?”

Lu Zeqing paused.

He would know because of the original story. But how did the original owner find out?

Lu Zeqing’s silence made Lu Nianchu think he didn’t want to answer. She smiled gently, trying to comfort him.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it. I’m not interrogating you. Whether or not you want to answer is entirely up to you. Then… Knowing this, did you ever think about coming to find us?”

This was a question Lu Zeqing couldn’t answer.

“I’m sorry.”

Lu Nianchu couldn’t hold back her emotions. When she heard Lu Zeqing apologize, her eyes turned red. “Don’t apologize, you haven’t done anything wrong.”

Her voice was choked.

“I’m not blaming you.”

Lu Nianchu covered her face, tears uncontrollably streaming down. Just a few days ago, she had rehearsed several times, wanting to present the best version of herself.

But she really, really didn’t want to appear emotionally out of control.

“I’m sorry!” Lu Nianchu’s nose was red, her voice restrained and suppressed.

“Give me a few minutes.”

Qi Huai wrapped his arm around Lu Nianchu’s shoulder, turning his head to look elsewhere. Only he knew that the bitterness in his heart was no less than that of Lu Nianchu.

If Lu Zeqing looked at him, he would see that Qi Huai’s eyes were also red.

Lu Nianchu lowered her eyelashes, tiny tears hanging at the corner of her eyes. Her fingernails dug into the palm of her hand, trying to use the pain to calm herself down.

Suddenly, a handkerchief appeared in front of her, held by delicate and fair hands.

“I’m sorry if I made you sad.”

Lu Zeqing’s voice was calm, but he wasn’t as composed as he appeared on the surface. In fact, he felt somewhat at a loss.

If the Qi family directly stated whether they wanted to take him home or not, he could face it calmly. 

Even when he followed Qi Zeyu upstairs, he was already considering how to decently end this conversation.

Lu Nianchu’s eyelashes trembled, her gaze falling on Lu Zeqing’s delicate face. In the features of the young man before her, she could faintly see the resemblance to his childhood appearance.

But he would never again, like in his childhood, cling to her legs and act coquettish.

Human traffickers took away not only his child but also the possibility of a bond that might never be mended.

Lu Zeqing remained silent.

In this atmosphere, he couldn’t fathom the intentions of the Qi family. Seeing Lu Nianchu shed tears, a subtle pang of discomfort pierced his heart. It was such a subtle sensation but it couldn’t be ignored.

Finally, it was Qi Zeyu who spoke.

“I’m Qi Zeyu, and your name is Lu Zeqing. I’m the first child of the Qi family, carrying father’s surname. You carry mother’s surname. When you were still in mom’s womb, the entire family was eagerly anticipating your arrival.”

“After you were born, you became the youngest child of the Qi family. Both parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents adored you. Although you were a bit spoiled at times, you were always well-behaved. We thought days would continue like this, and everyone would watch you grow up.”

“Until one day, you went to kindergarten and never came back.”

As Qi Zeyu spoke, his tone gradually softened.

“Mom and dad reported to the police, and many people joined the search, but there was still no trace of you. Until the police confirmed that you were abducted by human traffickers.”

As Qi Zeyu spoke, Lu Zeqing listened attentively. Memories, somewhat unclear, flashed in his mind. It was his childhood memories.

It was vague. Lu Zeqing tried to delve deeper, yet nothing concrete surfaced.

“In the first month after you were abducted, the atmosphere at home was heavy. I had always thought that you were noisy. But when I realized you were gone, I understood… It turns out that being noisy is also a kind of happiness.”

Qi Zeyu’s gaze shifted from the table’s narcissus flower to the shadow it cast. His voice was heavy, carrying a hint of sadness.

“In the second month, Dad was not interested in working. He just wanted to find you as soon as possible.”

“As time passed, not only did we not find any clues, but the traces of your life at home also faded.”

“The first year, we were filled with hope, expecting a miracle.”

“The second year, we were eagerly anticipating.”

“The third year, the fourth year… Up to the fifteenth year, we still hoped for the day you would come back.”

“I’m telling you this not to influence your thoughts.”

“Just want you to know that we never gave up looking for you.”

“We’ve been waiting for you to come home.”

Qi Zeyu looked gentle, a side of him Lu Zeqing had never seen before. He shifted his gaze uncomfortably.

Lu Nianchu wiped away her tears.

“I’m sorry. Mom and Dad failed to protect you. Can you give us another chance?”

Lu Nianchu repeated to herself over and over, telling herself not to rush. But she couldn’t speak these words rationally.

Tears had blurred her vision, despite all her preparations, emotions got the better of her at this moment.

“Mom really, really loves you and wants to protect you.”

“Please don’t… Reject Mom.”

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Pao: I cried a little QwQ